Kelsey,
What you were told by the employee at FS is correct. On the latest FSCast Eric
Damery pretty much said the same thing. He encouraged SMA holders who were up
for renewal to renew their SMA before the end of the year as he indicated that
price changes would take effect at the beginning of next year.
When I first began using NVDA I also struggled with how they use the numeric
keypad for navigation. For a while I practically ignored the number pad as I
felt that it was hurting my brain just to try and understand what it was they
were doing with it. As I used NVDA more and more, however, I began to
appreciate it a bit more. To be honest, I've seen instances where NVDA's object
navigation allows me to read things that I can't access with JAWS. The
capability of the JAWS cursor has really degraded with Windows 10. This is
something FS has acknowledged in a recent Open Line program and I think they're
trying to find ways of improving the functionality of the JAWS cursor.
Philosophically, the way NVDA uses the number pad reminds me of how the Mac
operates with VoiceOver in that NVDA's object navigation allows you to drill
down or, as the Mac calls it, interact with windows within windows, allowing
you to look at what's on your screen in a hierarchical, structured way.
However, this is not necessarily how most of us think when it comes to the way
we navigate our screens and the way JAWS handles navigation is, in many ways,
far more intuitive. Window-Eyes also had a different method for navigating with
their number pad but they had a JAWS-compatibility mode which forced the
numeric keypad to behave more like JAWS. They didn't call it a JAWS
compatibility mode but that's essentially what it was. In fact, this mode
affected more than the number pad and allowed you to use many JAWS commands to
control Window-Eyes. This is the mode I used in my last role when I was
training as it made me more comfortable with using Window-Eyes. Of course, when
I provided Window-Eyes training I always taught students using the default
keystrokes but, as a user, it allowed me to use Window-Eyes with far more
efficiency. NVDA really does need a JAWS compatibility mode, forcing the numpad
to behave as it does with JAWS. If I were a programmer I'd write an add-on to
do it but this is currently way beyond my ability. <smile> I may post a request
for this capability on the NVDA list, as well as on NV Access's Github page
where users can report bugs as well as feature requests.
I think that keeping up your JAWS SMA is a correct choice, particularly if you
use JAWS in a corporate environment.
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist
WWW.David-Goldfield.Com<http://WWW.David-Goldfield.Com>
On 12/15/2018 10:37 AM, Kelsey Nicolay wrote:
Hello,
Yeah I’m not happy about the new pricing either. What I was told by a Freedom
Scientific employee is that if you renewed your SMA this year, you will get the
current pricing of $200 for Pro or $120 for home. This covers through 2021, but
after version 2021, I would have to pay $300 each year for pro license. I also
now must pay $800 per year for my PMA for my Focus 80 blue. If it comes down to
it, I’d rather keep my JAWS license active. I’m not saying NVDA is not a good
screenreader (it definitely is), but my issue is that they make the number pad
function for kbjest navigation instead of traditional navigation like JAWS
does. There’s no easy way to change it except either chang all the keystrokes
or create a file with the new gestures in your AppData folder which is a pain
since the changes don’t stay in effect when you reboot. If NVDA would put a
setting in keyboard settings giving users the bility 6o switch between object
navigation and traditional navigation like JAWS uses, I would consider using
NVDA full time.
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 15, 2018, at 10:13 AM, Kimberly Starrett
<kstarrett5@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:kstarrett5@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
I had a similar reaction when I looked over the new pricing structure. Maybe it
was a misunderstanding on my part, but I thought FS was changing things up in
an effort to make jaws more affordable and available to more blind people. But
what I see here is just the opposite. Very disappointing but perhaps not so
surprising since FS is in business to make money after all.
Sent from Kimber's iPhone
The happy ending still beckons, and it is in the hope of grasping it that we go
on.—Annie Proulx
On Dec 15, 2018, at 10:01 AM, David Goldfield
<david.goldfield@xxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:david.goldfield@xxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Hi, Robin.
It's a good question. I think it's safe to assume that the SMA still provides
the next two major updates since the press release doesn't mention any changes
to what you can expect to receive by purchasing an SMA at the newer, more
expensive price. The announcement documents several changes and it would likely
indicate a change to what the SMA provides if FS intended to make such a
change. What I'd like a definitive answer to is why these prices are actually
increasing. On one hand, FS has taken several steps to make JAWS and some of
their other software more affordable for more people. This includes payment
plans for students through APH, providing a free one-year license when
purchasing a computer from Computers for the Blind, offering their software and
SMAs at national blindness conventions at home use prices, home edition
licensing as a subscription, etc. It also seems that software, in general,
tends to decrease in price over time. Yet they are increasing the cost of what
they and others call a perpetual license, meaning that you pay for one copy in
full and it runs for as long as you need it, as well as increasing the cost of
the SMA. Those who will be hit the hardest are the JAWS Professional users,
including large companies who have purchased licenses for many users or even
site or district licenses, such as schools and other large campuses. People who
are anti-Freedom Scientific may be tempted to just accuse them of all-out greed
in a knee-jerk reaction but I don't think the answer is that simple. Is this a
way of attempting to recoup some of the short-term costs which might have been
lost as a result of annual home license sales? Is more time and research needed
to ensure compatibility with newer versions of Windows 10 along with apps such
as Edge, Office 365 and Office 2019? Has FS noticed a decline in sales,
possibly due to NVDA continuing to advance with features? Is research being
conducted to push JAWS beyond the boundaries of traditional Windows machines
into something newer? We may never really know but it would be at least
courteous if FS could make a formal statement on their reasoning behind these
changes. It's possible that this issue was addressed during the December 13 FS
Open Line, which is their new monthly call-in program. I missed the episode but
it should be made available soon on the next episode of their FSCast podcast.
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist
WWW.David-Goldfield.Com<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2FWWW.David-Goldfield.Com&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2d176865f91d4ae7485b08d662a348a0%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636804850762888380&sdata=k%2FwCehPXpd3uHk9Ftre8aDFCgcuRVZzVnneslazrda8%3D&reserved=0>
On 12/15/2018 1:06 AM, Robin Frost wrote:
Hi,
Firstly my apologies for the subject change but my email program yelled at me
as the re: designation took it past the 255 character count oopsey (laughs).
Maybe I’m stuck on slow but it’s unclear to me from reading this if the SMA
upgrade of $150 still gets you two versions or just one? Does anyone know
definitively?
Robin
From: David Goldfield
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2018 9:46 PM
To: blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-philly-comp] Freedom Scientific Announces Changes to US Pricing
and Software Delivery Options,Annual Licenses under $100 for Home Users of JAWS
and ZoomText in the US, electronic delivery of licenses 24/7, and new prices
for traditional licenses, upgrades, and SMAs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Eric Damery
800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000
www.FreedomScientific.com<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.freedomscientific.com%252F%26data%3D02%257C01%257C%257C921867e71ed74e91937808d662537eb3%257C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%257C1%257C0%257C636804508073197616%26sdata%3Dp%252FVTsWQV02XwlLSu8Rg7eFMoHYeAUbJQiq%252Bgtv9gi10%253D%26reserved%3D0&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2d176865f91d4ae7485b08d662a348a0%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636804850762888380&sdata=cjCdAMfiegAl4k2XNoFD7corjeQZJX32J3nPbVXH%2FRs%3D&reserved=0>
Sales: info@xxxxxxxxxxx
Freedom Scientific Announces Changes to US Pricing and Software Delivery Options
Annual Licenses under $100 for Home Users of JAWS and ZoomText in the US,
electronic delivery of licenses 24/7, and new prices for traditional licenses,
upgrades, and SMAs
(Clearwater, Florida - December 10, 2018)
Freedom Scientific today announced changes that have been implemented so all
software licenses purchased are delivered to customers electronically, along
with instructions on how to download and install. PDF versions of the user
documentation<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.freedomscientific.com%252FDownloads%252FDocumentation%26data%3D02%257C01%257C%257C921867e71ed74e91937808d662537eb3%257C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%257C1%257C0%257C636804508073197616%26sdata%3DuDkrn9VIllldwRKtpz3OCC9RTh5DR719CKW27HCUmJ0%253D%26reserved%3D0&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2d176865f91d4ae7485b08d662a348a0%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636804850762888380&sdata=iBCDB0gdQFrx6dvZHgLO%2FhP9aOiIaEd8DdwzS4r8Cgo%3D&reserved=0>
is available to download and print, or can be purchased for delivery in print
and Braille directly from our online
store<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fstore.freedomscientific.com%252Fcollections%252Fsoftware-manuals%26data%3D02%257C01%257C%257C921867e71ed74e91937808d662537eb3%257C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%257C1%257C0%257C636804508073197616%26sdata%3D8knX1O1pPuYd%252FRgAWNnc8VKXi9iQQMz56u6UqbuuJ2A%253D%26reserved%3D0&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2d176865f91d4ae7485b08d662a348a0%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636804850762888380&sdata=7BIpdeeTOqVzxbAgD6HZGb%2B9uPDhe4MNql7XvQoVdOo%3D&reserved=0>
for a nominal fee.
New Software License Options for US-only available now
New Home Annual
Licenses<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fstore.freedomscientific.com%252Fcollections%252Fsoftware-annual%26data%3D02%257C01%257C%257C921867e71ed74e91937808d662537eb3%257C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%257C1%257C0%257C636804508073197616%26sdata%3DPy1Rr1ZUGaMPMtYtRtQVIJ4j2LpOFxtE8hCSxq4rooM%253D%26reserved%3D0&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2d176865f91d4ae7485b08d662a348a0%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636804850762888380&sdata=oTHveYQBYlTDXGrynFacQk9uLh%2FZWfldLw2xow0TXYk%3D&reserved=0>
of JAWS and ZoomText are available for purchase via online sales only in one,
three, or five year terms. Prices are as follows:
* JAWS - $90 per year
* ZoomText Mag/Reader - $80 per year
Perpetual License Price Changes for US as of January 1, 2019
Product License SMA/Upgrade (per version)
JAWS Professional $1200 $300
JAWS Home $1000 $150
ZoomText Magnifier/Reader $700 $175
ZoomText Magnifier $500 $125
Fusion Professional $1700 $400
Fusion Home $1400 $270
*Upgrades and SMAs available for all perpetual licenses, call for pricing
* All sales and quotes prior to end of year 2018 will be at current price
levels
* All software sales continue to include free phone and email support
Coming Early in 2019
Details will be announced soon on new Student Annual Licenses of JAWS and
ZoomText, offered FREE to students attending most Higher Education Institutions
in the United States.
About Freedom Scientific
Freedom Scientific is a leading worldwide brand of assistive technology
products for those with vision impairments. Freedom Scientific is part of
Vispero™. Vispero has its headquarters in the USA and the Netherlands, and
offices in Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Through Vispero's multi-tier distribution, Freedom Scientific products are
available in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Freedom Scientific® and its products are registered trademarks in the United
States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products
mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
*
--
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist
WWW.David-Goldfield.Com<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252FWWW.David-Goldfield.Com%26data%3D02%257C01%257C%257C921867e71ed74e91937808d662537eb3%257C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%257C1%257C0%257C636804508073197616%26sdata%3D%252FOmatjPoEILDBcmiqzTVy63qkx%252BDn9PxXThPAVL0pUY%253D%26reserved%3D0&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2d176865f91d4ae7485b08d662a348a0%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636804850762888380&sdata=kcEXDMLqRbL1LjEnFnE0bMSlsW%2FVQOUupsqLtyGNKLs%3D&reserved=0>
